Category: American

20th century, African-American, America, American, American Poetry, Black History, Melvin B. Tolson, poet, Poetry, United States

February 4, 2022

A Song for Myself

“The corn Will fat A hog Or rat:” — from “A Song for Myself” by Melvin B. Tolson
18th Century, African-American, American, American Poetry, Black History, Poetry, Uncategorized

February 3, 2022

From “An Anniversary Poem, Entitled, ‘The Progress of Liberty” by James Madison Bell (1826 – 1902)

“Though slavery’s dead, yet there remains A work for those from whom the chains Today are falling one by one; Nor should they deem their labor done,”— from “An Anniversary Poem, Entitled, ‘The Progress of Liberty” by James Madison Bell
American, American Poetry, Black History, General, History, Phillis Wheatley, poet, Poetry, Religion and Spirituality, Uncategorized, United States, women, women poets

February 2, 2022

On Being Brought from Africa to America

“Some view our sable race with scornful eye, “Their colour is a diabolic die.” Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain, May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train.” — from “On being brought from AFRICA to AMERICA.” by Phillis Wheatley
America, American, Black History, Celebration, Faith, James Weldon Johnson, poet, Poetry, Religion and Spirituality, Uncategorized, United States

January 31, 2022

“Lift Every Voice and Sing”

“God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who has brought us thus far on the way; Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light,” — excerpt from “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson
American, American Poetry, Martin Luther King, Jr., poet, Poetry, United States

January 17, 2022

The Streetsweeper

“Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, JR.
American, American Poetry, Edgar Alrbert Guest, Uncategorized, United States

January 2, 2022

On Quitting

How much grit do you think you’ve got? Can you turn from joys that you like a lot? Have you ever tested yourself to know How far with yourself your will can go? If you want to know if you have grit, Just pick out a joy that you like, and quit.
America, American, American Poetry, Marianne Moore, poet, Poetry, Uncategorized, United States, women, women poets

January 1, 2022

“A Jelly Fish”

The blue Surrounding it Grows cloudy, and It floats away From you.
20th century, African-American, America, American, American Poetry, Black History, Leslie Pinckney Hill, Poetry, Uncategorized, United States

February 5, 2019

“Tuskegee” by Leslie Pinckney Hill (1880 – 1960)

Here’s an #excerpt from a #poem, entitled, “Tuskegee” by Leslie Pinckney Hilly: “Not many steps ahead, but this we know— If all our toilsome building is in vain, Availing not to set our manhood free, If envious hate roots out the seed we sow…,”
20th century, America, American, American Poetry, Black History, Lucian B. Watkins, United States

February 4, 2019

“Star of Ethiopia” by Lucian B. Watkins (1871 – 1938)

Here’s an #excerpt from a #poem, entitled, “Star of Ethiopia” by #Lucian B. Watkins: “The night is dark but, one by one, Thy signals, ever and anon, Smile beacon answers to their plea, Out in the Night.”
20th century, African-American, America, American, American Poetry, Black History, Paul Laurence Dunbar, United States

February 1, 2019

“Little Brown Baby” by Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872 – 1906)

Here’s an excerpt from a #poem, entitled, “Little Brown #Baby” by Paul Laurence Dunbar. “Little brown baby wif spa’klin’ eyes Who’s pappy’s darlin’ an’ who’s pappy’s chile? Who is it all de day nevah once tries Fu’ to be cross, er once loses dat smile?”